Collapsible lunch box



Sept. 23. 1924. 1,509,454

J. UNSER COLLAPSIBLE LUNCH BOX Filed Feb. 12. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 iii-:FTL-

Gave/"tot 10M I 5 I mwamm Sept. 23. 1924. 1,509,454

J. UNSER.

' COLLAPSIBLE LUNCH BOX Filed Feb. 12. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Walk woo Patented Sept. 23, 1924.

UNITED STATES JOHN UNSER, or oARTnAGE, NEW YORK.

COLLAPSIBLE LUNCH Box.

I Application filed February 12, 1923. Serial No. 618,547.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, JOHN UNSER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Carthage,

- proved lunch box, and it has more particular reference to the type. of boxes which are such as to permit them to be collapsed to render them compact for convenient transportation when not in use.

It is the principal object of the invention to generally improve upon collapsible lunch boxes by providing one of extreme simplicity and durability which is of such constructionthat the sides and ends can be antomatically and simultaneously brought in position to form a complete box by simply pulling on the cords which are slid'ably connected with the foldable flaps forming the ends of the box.

More specifically'speaking, it is another object of the invention to provide a box of the foregoing construction wherein the free ends of the pull cords are adapted to be extended across the top of the box in opposite directions, said free ends being adapted to be detachably connected with unique anchoring means on the ends of the box so that the cords are then permitted to serve the additional function of a handle for-conveniently carrying the box.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same Figure 1 is a perspective view of the blank from which the box is formed, the end flaps being folded inwardly upon their respective sides.

Fig. 2 is also a perspective view showing the cords partially pulled, with the sides and flaps about to assume their operative positions.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the com plete box showing the manner in which the handle is formed.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sect-ion of one end of the box.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of one end of the box showing a slightly modified anchoring means for the pull cords.

Fig. 6 is likewise a similar view showing the cord associated therewith.

As before intimated, the improved box is formed from a paper-board blank which is cut to provide a bottom 1, vertical sides 2, a top 8 and a plurality of foldable flaps 4 and 5 connected with the sides and bottom respectively. As is usual, in order to permit accurate folding of these portions to form the box, they are connected together by scores in the usual way. In order to permit the parts to be automatically and simultaneously folded to operative position, the several flaps are provided with openings surrounded by reinforced eyelets (Sand a pair of pull cords are passed through these eyelets. Hence, when the free ends of the cords are grasped and pulled, the sides 2 will be raised into vertical spaced parallelism and the end flaps will be disposed in overlapping relation. For the purpose of permanently connecting the cords 7 with the flaps, knots are tied on the opposite ends of the cords and washers 8 and 9 are associated with these. The first named washers 8 bear against the inner faces of the flaps 5.

As hereinbefore pointed out, it is one of the main features of this invention to extend the free ends of the pull cords over the top of the box so that they may serve the additional function of a handle for carrying the latter and to permit this result to be accomplished, I associate unique anchoring means with the ends ofthe box. Atthis point, I wish to state that the anchoring means could of course vary in construction and for the purpose of illustration I have shown two methods which I contemplate using. Attention being first confined to the anchoring means employed in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, it will be seen that this simply comprises a pair of disk-like paper members 10 secured to the outermost flaps 4. By carefully examining the anchoring disks it will be noted that each one is formed in its periphery with a notch 11 which serves a purpose to be hereinafter described.

Assuming that it is desired to unfold the blank for the purpose of forming the box, the washers 10 on the free ends of the cords are grasped and the two cords are pulled be complete for use.

through; the eyelets 6. As soon as. the pull. is exerted on :the cords; it will befiseenthat 2- the parts-Will assume the approximate re'la tive positions shown in .Fig. 2. .Exerting a still further pull on the'eords, the flaps 4 and 5 Will'be disposed in overlapping relation and the sides 2 Will be disposed in spaced vertical relationand-the box Will Of course, in order toelose' it, the top-3 can then be swung down. Now, in' order to maintain the foldable portions in their upright operative positionsl-the cords are drawn tightly and the inner end portions thereof are passed through and drawn l11tO"tl1B seats of the notches 11 in the'anchoringv disks 10 and then between the disks and fla s 4 to hold the cords against slipping-: A ter this, the free endot each pull cord-is passed: over the top of 'tlie box'in the direction opposite to that of the other cord and the free' endsare engaged "Wlllll thethen:adjacent anchoring disks wlth the washer associated with the aforesaid notches in the manner illustrated more clearly in Fig; 3. By reversing the procedure'just outlined, the :box may portation.

thatform of the lnvention shown in Figs.-

restrict the invention to any particular an-- be-again collapsed for shipment or trans- The foregoing paragraph covers 1 to 4, inclusive. I

As "already disclosed, it is not desired to ehoring means for the free ends of the cord.

I now direct attention to Figs. 5 and 6, wherein I have shown another form of anchoring means for the free ends of the pull cords. Reference being had to these-figures,

1 it will be seen that tl1e=box itself is identi- By so designing the head, a pair of notches 13 and 14 are provided at its'point of con neetion -Wli3l1'tl16fl2113. By directing attention now to 'Fig. B it will be seen that-in i drawn tightly through the alin ed holes incal'Witlr that hereinbefore described. Therefore, thesamereference characters will ap-v ply to these figures so far as the boxis concerned. The anchoring meansvvlnch I employ howe'ver,=is varied in construction and I in carrying out thisend, I cut the outermostflap 4 to providea disk-like anchoringhead 12, this head being integral with the flap.

use theinner end portion of one pull cord at the'end-ot the box shownis, after being the-flaps, seated in thGQHOiICll '13, drawn across-the rear? side-of the head 12 and passed upwardly throughthe notch 14 andthen across -the top of the-box.

end 'ofth'ei cordfrom the'other end of the The free box is likewise passed. through= the notch 13, and behind the flap so as to permit the free end with the Washer to be seated in the other notch 14. Hence, the flaps of the box are maintained in operative condition and the portions of the cords which pass over the top of the box provide a handle for-conveniently carrying the latter from place to place.

By carefully considering the description in connection with the drawings, persons familiar --with devices of this class will doubtless-beiable to obtain a elearunder- 1. A folding lunch box comprisinga plurality of sidesconnected by scores, said sides being: providedewith foldable flaps arranged in overlapping relation, said=flaps having alined holes, separate oords passing slidably through the'holes, washerson the ends of the cords-,the washers on the inner ends of thelatter beingadapted to bear against the inner faces-of theiend flaps on the'bob tom of the box, thefree :ends of the cords being adapted to pass in opposite directions over the 'top of the box, and anchoring means secured on the ends of the'box witliwhich the'washers on the' free ends of the cords are detachably connected. 1

2. A folding lunch box comprising a plurality'ot' sides-connected together by cords, said sides being: provided with fol dable endflaps arranged in overlapping relation. said end-flaps beingprovided with alined holes, separate cords passing slidahly through said holes and connected at their inner ends with said flaps, the'freeuouter ends of said cords being adapted-to pass in opposite directions over the top of thebox to provide a handle for carrying. the latter, and anchoring means secured to said flaps, thefree ends of said cords being adapted to be detachably connected with said anchoring means.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto afiixed my'signature.

JOHN. UNSER. 

